Book Review: “Around the World in 80 Dates – a True Story” by Jennifer Cox
Jennifer Cox, head of PR and spokesperson for Lonely Planet Publications, was tired of feeling like her love life was suffering from her work life. She had always wanted a vibrant and interesting career and had put a lot of time and effort into achieving that, but her love life was a series of bad relationships, one after the other. What would happen, she wondered, if I put just as much time and energy into finding a Soul Mate, as I put into my job?
So she hatched a plan to contact many of her world-wide friends and include them in her hunt for a romantic match. She dubbed them Date Wranglers, and emailed them all a resume that she had put together outlining
her ideal man. Soon, they began referring to her world dating tour as “Around the World in 80 Dates.”
With a chance for some real matchmaking, the Date Wranglers went to work finding any man they knew who fit the criteria. Soon, Jennifer was overwhelmed with offers, men and dates. She knew that it would take all of
her travel experience and connections to turn these encounters into a smooth and seamless trip around the world. She was determined to do whatever it took to connect with the Soul Mate she knew was out there. So she took a
hiatus from her job, and concentrated all of her efforts on planning her 80 dates.
From the Dead Date in Italy, to the Skate Date in France, to the Viking Date and the Love Professor in Sweden, Jennifer soon had an itinerary full of bizarre and interesting people. Sure that somewhere among them there would
be at least one Soul Mate, she was eager to embark on her journey and as for all the other dates, she was convinced that at the very least she would never be bored on her trip.
This is a funny and emotionally honest book full of wild adventures and interesting people, made even more fascinating by being autobiographical. I was captivated from page one. Jennifer Cox is a gifted writer with a healthy sense of the absurd and no hesitation in giving the reader this real and uncluttered look at one of the most courageous and outrageous explorations for love. I highly recommend this book for any and
all.
Sarah Jane Marshall, Butyoudontlooksick.com, © 2007
